Present: The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr A Maskey
Dr A McDonnell
Ms M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson

In attendance: Mr M Barnes Ms G Campbell
Mr J Reynolds Mr J Gillespie

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Mrs I Robinson and Mr E McGrady MP.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Conflict of Interests: The Speaker reported that the legal advice which he had received pointed to a possible conflict of interest. He suggested that whether or not Assembly Private Secretaries are remunerated, this should be declared in the Register of Members Interests. Committee Chairs with concerns about conflicts of interests may, if they wish, address these through the Committee of Standards and Privilege. The Speaker was also considering this course of action since the matter had been drawn formally to his attention.

Statutory Rules: The Speaker brought to the Committee's attention the sizeable backlog of work which confronts the Examiner of Statutory Rules and informed the Committee that further staff were being employed to assist the current Examiner.

Appointments: The Speaker reminded the Committee that the election of Deputy Speakers called for cross community support. This matter, along with the appointment of 2 members of the Business Committee to act as Chair in the Speaker's absence, was discussed and will be raised again at the next meeting.

Appointment to Standing Committees: This matter was deferred to the next meeting of the Business Committee. It was agreed that the Clerk would circulate a note setting out the various appointments which remain outstanding.

The order of Business was agreed (see attached Order Paper). It was agreed that in the absence of further business that the sitting would be on Monday only.

Regular date, time and venue of meetings: It was agreed that if Plenary Business concluded by 6.00 pm on Tuesdays, the Business Committee would meet not later than 6.15 pm and that alternative arrangements would be considered as the need arose. The Committee would meet in Room 106.

6. DATE ,TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that, if the Assembly was not sitting, the next meeting of the Business Committee would be held on 18 January at 10.30 am in Room 106.

To view Order Paper for Monday 17 January 2000.